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Pirate's Promise
Young and orphaned, Tom Pippin has just been sold by his greedy uncle to the captain of a great sailing ship bound for America. Although Tom has been sold into slavery, no one can buy or sell his unwavering spirit. Tom longs to be free on the shores of America, but when a pirate's ship captures his boat, the young boy's life changes forever. Pirate Captain Land and his motley crew of men reveal to Tom all of the secrets—and dangers—of the pirate's life. Peter Burchard's black and white drawings throughout illustrate Tom's journey.
100 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1958
7 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
About the author
Clyde Robert Bulla
101 books99 followersBorn to be a Writer
Almost as far back as he can remember, Clyde Robert Bulla wanted to write. Born on a farm in a small town in Missouri, Mr. Bulla's first school was a one-room country schoolhouse. One day his teacher asked each first grade student what he or she would do with a thousand dollars. Young Clyde answered that he would buy a table. His classmates laughed heartily, and his teacher was puzzled. “What I really meant,” says Mr. Bulla, “is a desk or other flat surface on which to write my stories!”
First Stories
Mr. Bulla's first piece of writing was titled, “How Planets Were Born.” The ambitious opening sentence was, “One night old Mother Moon had a million babies.” All through school, Mr. Bulla continued to write stories mostly, but plays and poetry, too. After years of gathering editor's rejection slips, Mr. Bulla sold a magazine story, then several more. Soon after, Mr. Bulla wrote a novel and a publisher accepted it.
The Difficult Years
In the excitement of publishing a novel, Mr. Bulla wrote two more books. Unfortunately, no one wanted to publish them. His luck took a turn for the worse when the publisher of his first book went bankrupt. For several years, he worked at a local weekly newspaper where he struggled with linotype, kept books, collected bills, and wrote a weekly column.
Success!
A couple of Mr. Bulla's weekly columns caught the attention of a well-known author and illustrator of children's books. She wrote to Mr. Bulla, suggesting that he try writing a children's book. He immediately sent her a manuscript for a children's book he'd written a year before. Within one week, an editor of a New York publisher read the manuscript,and it was accepted. The book was The Donkey Cart, published in 1946. Since then, Mr. Bulla has written over twenty books for children, as well as the music for several children's song books.
About The Chalk Box Kid
“When I was young,” explains Mr. Bulla, “I sometimes found it hard to cope in new surroundings, and I was apt to get off on the wrong foot. This is the story of a boy who got off on the wrong foot in a new school and how he tried to cope.” In describing the chalk garden, Mr. Bulla says, “I gave Gregory something I've always wished for: a big, blank wall that I could cover with my own drawings.”
Almost as far back as he can remember, Clyde Robert Bulla wanted to write. Born on a farm in a small town in Missouri, Mr. Bulla's first school was a one-room country schoolhouse. One day his teacher asked each first grade student what he or she would do with a thousand dollars. Young Clyde answered that he would buy a table. His classmates laughed heartily, and his teacher was puzzled. “What I really meant,” says Mr. Bulla, “is a desk or other flat surface on which to write my stories!”
First Stories
Mr. Bulla's first piece of writing was titled, “How Planets Were Born.” The ambitious opening sentence was, “One night old Mother Moon had a million babies.” All through school, Mr. Bulla continued to write stories mostly, but plays and poetry, too. After years of gathering editor's rejection slips, Mr. Bulla sold a magazine story, then several more. Soon after, Mr. Bulla wrote a novel and a publisher accepted it.
The Difficult Years
In the excitement of publishing a novel, Mr. Bulla wrote two more books. Unfortunately, no one wanted to publish them. His luck took a turn for the worse when the publisher of his first book went bankrupt. For several years, he worked at a local weekly newspaper where he struggled with linotype, kept books, collected bills, and wrote a weekly column.
Success!
A couple of Mr. Bulla's weekly columns caught the attention of a well-known author and illustrator of children's books. She wrote to Mr. Bulla, suggesting that he try writing a children's book. He immediately sent her a manuscript for a children's book he'd written a year before. Within one week, an editor of a New York publisher read the manuscript,and it was accepted. The book was The Donkey Cart, published in 1946. Since then, Mr. Bulla has written over twenty books for children, as well as the music for several children's song books.
About The Chalk Box Kid
“When I was young,” explains Mr. Bulla, “I sometimes found it hard to cope in new surroundings, and I was apt to get off on the wrong foot. This is the story of a boy who got off on the wrong foot in a new school and how he tried to cope.” In describing the chalk garden, Mr. Bulla says, “I gave Gregory something I've always wished for: a big, blank wall that I could cover with my own drawings.”
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 28, 2019
After reading chapter one, I didn't think that I would like this story very much but then......... it took a turn for the better!
I really enjoyed this story of a boy who fights for his freedom with the goal of getting back to his sister and of the people (even a pirate) who helps him along the way.
I really enjoyed this story of a boy who fights for his freedom with the goal of getting back to his sister and of the people (even a pirate) who helps him along the way.
October 24, 2022
Wonderfully engaging children's book. I enjoyed reading it with my 8 and 10 year old boys-- it prompted some good discussions and questions.
December 26, 2021
I highly recommend this book for elementary aged boys who will love the adventure and survival of young Tom, who experiences many misadventures on land and sea, brought on by wicked men – some being pirates. This was not the life Tom had envisioned for himself and his little sister after they became orphans. He had promised he would find work to provide a home of their own, including a garden for her. Not all the men in his life were evil, and because of their generosity and care for him, Tom finds his dream fulfilled in a most unusual way. What the elementary boys won’t realize is that Bulla’s presentation of evil men versus men of loyalty and commitment will plant a seed in their hearts to choose the latter path.
May 27, 2017
Written for young readers not quite ready for regular chapter books, this book is engaging and well written. Indeed, my sole complaint is the niceness of the main pirate! If this is a child's first introduction to a pirate's life, they will be misled. It is this that keeps the book from achieving 5 stars. But, keeping in mind it's intended audience, the lovely ending & not-too-scary pirate make sense. I think young readers will enjoy this slim book.
February 11, 2022
When I first started this book, I was wondering, "What kind of book is this for young children?" This book ends well and has a message and a redemption in the end. If your children have a taste for pirates, they are sure to enjoy this book. The Highwaymen of the sea were a part of the historic landscape in history.
May 14, 2025
Review of Pirate's Promise
Rest In Peace Captain Land, And Be Brave Tom And Dinah And Benjy And Diggory The Crews Of Captain Land
Rest In Peace Captain Land, And Be Brave Tom And Dinah And Benjy And Diggory The Crews Of Captain Land
November 30, 2017
Not as enjoyable as some of Mr. Bulla's other novels. Just "ok".
December 13, 2017
I read this book to my 1st grader. He didn't want me to put the book down. It could have ended a little better. I felt they left us hanging on Dinah at the end of the book.
March 27, 2019
A great book for a reader just getting into chapter books. It was also a good introduction to the idea of a historical fiction.
September 4, 2023
What a great book! Especially for boys who may be reading below reading level, this book does not "talk down" to children, but has an excellent plot!
October 30, 2025
A short, fun tale about an honorable pirate. Another success by Clyde Robert Bulla.
January 29, 2024
Tom and Dinah go to live with their aunt after their parents die. Everything is fine until their uncle returns from the sea. Then, Tom is taken to London and sold as a bond servant to someone in America. On the journey, the ship is captured by pirates. Tom refuses to enter the long boat with the other passengers and crew. Instead, he asks the pirate captain for protection. Captain Land likes his boldness and agrees to take him. The pirate ship stops on an island near Florida for repairs. While there, a pirate named Captain Red tells Tom that he will help him return to London. Red intends to make Tom his cabin boy. The captains fight, and Captain Land is mortally wounded. Tom and Benjy, Captain Land's mate, escape in a fisherman's skiff. On another island they find a ship bound for Charleston, North Carolina. Tom buys passage with some of Captain Land's gold. From Charleston, he walks to the captain's family plantation. Master and Mistress Tanner ask him to stay and arrange for Dinah's passage to America.
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com
January 26, 2014
A transitional reader chapter book set in the 1700s or so, this book has a ultimately happy ending after a young boy is sold by his horrible uncle into slavery.
If this book was written today, it would be a horror story about a boy who, after being sold into slavery, is lied to by pirates, and is either killed or turned into a bloody-thirsty, depraved ubervillain ravaging the seas between America and Europe. Thankfully, it's not.
If this book was written today, it would be a horror story about a boy who, after being sold into slavery, is lied to by pirates, and is either killed or turned into a bloody-thirsty, depraved ubervillain ravaging the seas between America and Europe. Thankfully, it's not.
October 21, 2014
gr 2-3 87 pgs
1716, England / US. 12 year old orphan Tom Pippin is determined to be reunited with his sister Dinah, still in England. After the death of their parents, their uncle sold Tom to a sea captain to be a bonded servant. When the ship is attacked by pirates, Tom asks the pirate captain for help returning back to England. But can a pirate be trusted.
Good read that I would recommend to reluctant readers since there is a lot of action and short chapters.
1716, England / US. 12 year old orphan Tom Pippin is determined to be reunited with his sister Dinah, still in England. After the death of their parents, their uncle sold Tom to a sea captain to be a bonded servant. When the ship is attacked by pirates, Tom asks the pirate captain for help returning back to England. But can a pirate be trusted.
Good read that I would recommend to reluctant readers since there is a lot of action and short chapters.
June 13, 2015
The greatest third grade struggling reader book group for boys book ever! Simple language, lots if action. Pistols and swords? A duel between Capt. Red and Capt. Land? All signs point to awesomely engaged eight year old boys.
My kiddos wanted to write a sequel, they loved it so much.
My kiddos wanted to write a sequel, they loved it so much.
September 17, 2015
great young reader especially for boys... introduces concept of bonded servitude vs slavery. Dueling...
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews